Sundari huffed and puffed as she stormed through the door. 

 “The worst day of my life!” She yelled as she tossed her shoes and threw her backpack against the wall.

“Whoa! What's wrong with my princess? Here, take a glass of lemonade.” Sundari's dad tried to pacify her.

Sundari gulped the entire glass of lemonade before beginning her rant.

“Appa! I hate Priya. She got admitted only this year. She seemed very friendly, but I didn't realize that it was all just an act.”

“Hmm! Why, what did she do?”

“I was the one who introduced her to all my friends. I taught her tips and tricks to ace the monthly tests. But now…”

“But now, what??”

“Today, Priya was elected the class leader. I wasn’t even aware that she had applied for the position. I deserved it. And…all my friends seem to like her more. They claim that she is the most suited person for the position. You must have seen the look on her face today—roaming around with an invisible crown.”

“Really? I don’t think anything was intentional.”

“APPA! She did this on purpose. Even the teachers seem to like her. Besides, neither during recess nor after school today did she bother to talk to me.”

“I understand, dearie! Just calm down.”

“Calm down?! It's time I teach her a lesson.” 

“Sundari, my dear! Please don't act in haste. Just give it some time and everything will sort out.”

“Ah, Appa! That's what you always say. Let me figure it out myself.”

Sundari then went into her bedroom and put her troubled mind to work. 

I should probably steal the paper on which Priya has written her assembly speech.

Maybe I should call all my friends who side with her and tell nasty things about her…

In a fit of rage, as she was about to toss out the bead bracelet that Priya had gifted her, she heard a knock at her door.

Sundari was surprised to find Priya outside.

“Sorry, Sundari, I understand how upset you are. You wanted to become the leader, didn't you? Jaya ma'am insisted that I should apply for the position. I couldn't deny it,” Priya said as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Really? I thought…”

“And I didn't expect to get elected. You deserve to be the leader. During recess and after school, I tried meeting Jaya ma'am, and told her that I didn't wish to be the leader. I value our friendship more.”

Sundari stared at her in disbelief. All the pent-up anger melted, and she felt guilty and ashamed for having doubted her friendship. 

“Come on, Priya. You are most suited for the position. I should be the one apologizing for being cross and having envied you. Sorry!” 

As Sundari and Priya hugged each other, Sundari's dad entered the room.

“Can we seal this bond of friendship with a bar of ice cream?” 

Sundari and Priya nodded in affirmation.

***